ERCE - Expertise Centrum Regionale Circulaire Economie

Limburg faces a major and urgent challenge: the transition to a circular economy. This shift goes to the heart of how we produce, consume and collaborate. Key questions include: which material, water, energy and food flows can we close, slow down or narrow? And how can this be put into practice? This requires not only technological solutions, but also new forms of collaboration and a rethinking of our economic system.

The circular transition is, above all, a knowledge-driven process. In policy plans and regional agreements, the ambition is widely endorsed, and inspiring initiatives are already visible in Limburg. At the same time, there is still a long way to go. There is a risk that efforts will remain fragmented into small-scale, stand-alone projects, preventing the broader potential of the transition from being fully realised. This is precisely why coherence, scale and a strong knowledge base are essential.

A solid starting point is insight: a clear understanding of the flows of materials, energy, water and food within Limburg, and how these relate to the regional economy. Only with this knowledge can targeted choices be made and the transition be effectively accelerated.

To address this need, the Expertise Centre for Regional Circular Economy (ERCE) has been established. This centre, initiated by researchers from Maastricht University following an intensive process with regional municipalities and stakeholders represents an important investment in the region’s knowledge infrastructure. ERCE aims to accelerate the circular transition in Limburg and fulfils three roles in doing so. With this integrated approach, ERCE contributes to a coherent, effective and future-proof circular transition in Limburg.